Victory Enterpriseshttps://www.victoryenterprises.com
Consulting and Communications FirmTue, 19 Mar 2019 19:41:34 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.13VictoryEnterpriseshttps://feedburner.google.comVE Employee Feature – Ben Muehleisen, Head of Productionhttps://www.victoryenterprises.com/ben-muehleisen-head-production/
Tue, 19 Mar 2019 08:00:45 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=15543In 2018, Victory Enterprises proudly hired Ben Muehleisen to lead our production and media development department. His contributions have helped set Victory apart as a leader in TV, social media, and radio projects. “I did sound production growing up,” says Ben of his early interest in media. “And went to school originally to be an audio engineer, but that required […]

]]>In 2018, Victory Enterprises proudly hired Ben Muehleisen to lead our production and media development department. His contributions have helped set Victory apart as a leader in TV, social media, and radio projects.

“I did sound production growing up,” says Ben of his early interest in media. “And went to school originally to be an audio engineer, but that required a deeper knowledge of music, which I don’t have. So I shifted my focus to Mass Communications.” While looking for an internship his senior year of college, he was offered the possibility of an internship editing video for the Blues. “Being a lifelong Blues fan, I jumped on the opportunity.”

While working as an editor for the Blues, Ben had the opportunity to meet people along the way invited him to work on a variety of projects, giving him the chance to learn the ins and outs of shooting film. For the next several years, continued to meet and work with new people, soaking up new experiences and gaining valuable skills. “It’s how the industry works. You meet new people and get connected to new opportunities. It helps grow your experience as a videographer.”

Eventually, he came to work at a political lobbying and fundraising company that wanted to incorporate video into their product line up. By 2010, they were working on campaigns with full crews and studio space. They became known as First Rule and it was through this company that his relationship with Victory began.

“I’m not really a political guy. I just followed production and this is where it brought me,” says Ben. “As media became a significantly more important part of politics, agencies like mine became crucial to helping a campaign reach its full potential. Victory was a client for a long time and we did a significant amount of their production. Then, about a year ago, they hired me to take over their in-house production.”

Thanks to his extensive background in media, Ben has a clear understanding of what it takes to make compelling media work for any kind of client. Whether its a corporate piece or a political fundraiser, his advice is the same. “Start with the end in mind and work backwards.”

“You have to understand who you’re trying to reach and what message you want to convey. Once we know that, we can go back and work on a detailed script.” But he urges clients to remember to be flexible. “Clients who are unbending can be difficult to work with. Not every dream you have on paper is possible in the real world. But I do my best to help bring their vision and story to life.”

Victory Enterprises has invested in our media department because we believe a strong production arm can make all the difference when building a winning campaign strategy. Our most recent camera acquisition has enabled us to provide a higher quality product at a lower cost. No client is prohibited from a nice product.

If you’re considering video and media production for your campaign or company, the most important thing to understand are your goals for the project. Determine your budget and have a conversation with us about the message you want to convey, whether it’s through social media videos, traditional TV, or radio. “We want to be responsible with your resources. If you tell us what you need, we will work hard to make every last cent work hard for you.”

“We learned a lot from this last cycle about how media is continuing to evolve,” says Ben. “One thing we want clients to keep in mind is that video is not a one-size fits all product. You need to shoot with your medium in mind. Shooting a facebook video is very different from shooting a TV commercial. They go at a different pace and require different framing.”

“For example, social media videos allow for viewer interaction. If you’re on instagram, you’ll want to walk a viewer through the proper commands, like swiping up on the screen to see more. When a client is prepared to do the extra things, they get a more polished result.”

]]>Join VE’s March Madness Pool!https://www.victoryenterprises.com/join-ves-march-madness-pool/
Wed, 13 Mar 2019 14:00:54 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=15461You Could Win Tickets to See the Cubs vs. Brewers at Wrigley Field! Victory Enterprises is excited to host our first March Madness pool, and you are invited to participate! Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard enthusiast, sign up now and complete your bracket by Thursday, March 21 at 9:00am cst. Click here to enter our pool! The […]

The rules are simple. The individual who enters our pool and ends with highest score at the end of the NCAA Tourney wins 4 tickets to catch the Chicago Cubs play the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on Friday, May 10th. First pitch is 1:20pm.

]]>Advocacy and Its Importance to a Communityhttps://www.victoryenterprises.com/advocacy-importance-community/
Tue, 26 Feb 2019 15:09:52 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=15227Mark Knoop, a longtime consultant with Victory Enterprises, was recently highlighted for his work as founder of Forward Charlotte, a pro-business and pro-family advocacy group in Charlotte, North Carolina. Knoop’s insight has helped many campaigns accomplish their goals. We asked for his advice to any young group wanting to make a change in their community. What advice would you give […]

]]>Mark Knoop, a longtime consultant with Victory Enterprises, was recently highlighted for his work as founder of Forward Charlotte, a pro-business and pro-family advocacy group in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Knoop’s insight has helped many campaigns accomplish their goals. We asked for his advice to any young group wanting to make a change in their community.

What advice would you give to someone trying to start an advocacy group in their community?

I would start with a question: Does your group provide a solution to a problem? Start with a big-picture objective or a specific problem to solve, grow supporters and contributors, and stick to those objectives.

Secondly, don’t let others hijack your purpose or your platform, but local stakeholders can provide unique perspectives on local issues and landscapes.

Lastly, I would remind people to get technical. The legal piece is something often overlooked. When engaging in issue advocacy and elections, there are rules that regulate the types of activities in which your organization can engage and how it engages.

]]>Victory Enterprises Founder and Chairman, Steve Grubbs, joined 4 The Record host, Jim Niedelman, for a panel discussion about Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ campaign for president, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s budget proposal, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ decision not to appeal the court ruling that struck down the state’s fetal heartbeat bill. 4 The Record is a weekly news and public interest show on WHBF Local 4 in the Quad Cities.

]]>Victory Enterprises Chief Development Officer, Joe Lakin, joined This Week in Missouri Politics to discuss Roy Blunt’s leadership, whether Bernie Sanders can win the Democrat nomination for president, and who won this week in Missouri Politics.

]]>Understanding Political Researchhttps://www.victoryenterprises.com/understanding-political-research/
Wed, 20 Feb 2019 15:00:59 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=15148Understanding Political Research By Danielle Savage, With Cory Done Yearbooks. Facebook comments. Court documents. Opposition research is rapidly becoming one of the most essential components of a campaign in today’s political climate. Everything is fair game in today’s information-hungry market. More than ever, it has become vital that candidates weed through their history, and then review their opponent’s in […]

Understanding Political Research

By Danielle Savage, With Cory Done

Yearbooks. Facebook comments. Court documents.

Opposition research is rapidly becoming one of the most essential components of a campaign in today’s political climate. Everything is fair game in today’s information-hungry market. More than ever, it has become vital that candidates weed through their history, and then review their opponent’s in order to guide their campaign in the most effective way.

To learn more about research and how to use it, I sat down with Cory Done, a research expert and longtime political operative.

Tell us who you are and what you do.

Cory Done. I am the Research Director for Victory Enterprises. I head our research department and currently collect, analyze, and assemble reports for all our opposition research clients.

In the simplest terms, how would you define opposition research?

In terms of the process, opposition research involves discovering and documenting instances of personal, professional and political misconduct carried out by the research target.

The finished product should be a compilation of these results, giving campaigns a well-documented and well-sourced picture of their opponent, including their background, their politics, and their policy goals.

Do you think every candidate needs to order research?

I would say that every candidate who wants to stand out should order research. Unless you’re the only candidate in the field, opposition research helps draw clear definitions even between members of similar parties. In a primary, the average voter doesn’t know the difference between one candidate or another within their party, but effectively utilizing opposition research can help establish a preference.

In swing districts where races might be categorized as “toss-ups” or favoring the opposing party, opposition research is essential. In any race at any level, I believe voters deserve to know who is running to represent them. Every candidate/politician should anticipate their opponent having opposition research collected and used against them.

How can you tell what information is useful to a candidate?

While I do believe it’s important for an opposition researcher to know what may or may not be helpful/impactful in the effort to sway voters, I’m more concerned with being meticulous in my research to allow the campaign, its strategists, and its pollster to decide what is most useful.

It’s my job to be thorough, not to direct your messaging. That being said, the most useful information draws a direct contrast. If you support lowering taxes and they supporting raising them, for example.

Typically, the “crazier” the find, the less believable the hit. Voters find it difficult to believe outlandish, negative things. Unless the candidate is starting with higher negative name ID or the research is able to establish or confirm a trend of poor/concerning/unethical behavior, crazy hits can sometimes bite you back.

How should a candidate use their research once it’s been given to them?

Ideally, good research yields good polling, which empowers strong messaging development and execution. Typically (depending on budget and pragmatics), opposition should find its way into every element of a comprehensive campaign messaging strategy from mail to digital to TV and radio.

Other opposition uses: debate prep, donor outreach/messaging, press releases and distribution to local press, micro-websites highlighting opponent’s record. If applicable, opposition research is employed well when it is used to highlight inconsistencies between an opponent’s record and his/her rhetoric, or when it is used to undermine their campaign platform (ex. A pledge to stand up for working families contrasted with past votes to raise property taxes or increase utility rates).

Why do you think some candidates struggle to use their research effectively?

Candidates should always be prepared to build and present a case to voters explaining why they are the right candidate to represent their interests and the opponent is not. Opposition research is an important part of this process that shouldn’t be overlooked.

A common objection raised by candidates is “negative campaigning” doesn’t work or they want to “stick to the issues.” Opposition research does not prevent a campaign from “sticking to the issues” — it enables and empowers a campaign to do just that. It allows a campaign to clearly and explicitly distinguish their candidate from his/her opponent on the issues that matter to voters without relying on empty rhetoric or baseless accusations.

And again, if your opponent doesn’t pay their taxes but wants to determine how your tax dollars should be spent, don’t you think your constituents deserve to know that?

Any last thoughts about something you want to say but I didn’t ask?

Candidates should be mindful of, and honest about, their own past. If there are significant liabilities in your past, expect they will be brought to light in a campaign. If this is the case, consider not running for office, or be ready to deal with these issues in an open and honest manner. No one is perfect, and voters don’t necessarily demand it, but an attempt to cover up the truth or ignore the seriousness of a situation can lead to a disastrous and humiliating outcome for everyone on your team, in your home, and at campaign headquarters.

Victory Enterprises offers a full shop of research resources. We specialize in preparing you to meet your opponent head on with the most accurate, recent, and valuable information available. To learn more about our research department, delivery times, cost of product and more, contact us today.

]]>https://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-joe-lakin-appears-on-this-week-in-missouri-politics/feed/0Victory Enterprises’ Dinkins and Puyear Named 30 Under 30https://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-dinkins-puyear-named-30-30/
https://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-dinkins-puyear-named-30-30/#respondTue, 24 Apr 2018 20:13:07 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=13711St. Louis, MO — Victory Enterprises’ Brett Dinkins and Charlie Puyear have been named to the Missouri Times 30 under 30 list for their impact on Missouri politics. Dinkins is a Missouri campaign consultant for VE and Puyear leads VE’s award-winning digital division. “It’s honor to be named alongside a number of our friends and clients to this elite list […]

]]>St. Louis, MO — Victory Enterprises’ Brett Dinkins and Charlie Puyear have been named to the Missouri Times 30 under 30 list for their impact on Missouri politics. Dinkins is a Missouri campaign consultant for VE and Puyear leads VE’s award-winning digital division.

“It’s honor to be named alongside a number of our friends and clients to this elite list of political pros,” Puyear said. “I am truly grateful to work for an innovative and creative company delivering comprehensive campaign solutions to our clients every day.”

Dinkins has been a fixture of Missouri politics since 2010 and most recently managed the successful special elections of Senator Mike Cierpiot and, his mother, State Representative Chris Dinkins.

“I’ve been fortunate to work for many winning campaigns and candidates since I first entered politics in college,” said Dinkins. “I’m humbled to have been named to this talented list of campaign and public affairs operatives.”

Founded in 1997, Victory Enterprises provides comprehensive media and management solutions for campaigns, companies and causes.

]]>https://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-dinkins-puyear-named-30-30/feed/0Victory Enterprises Wins Back to Back Awards for Top Digital Campaignhttps://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-wins-back-back-awards-top-digital-campaign/
https://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-wins-back-back-awards-top-digital-campaign/#respondMon, 16 Apr 2018 14:48:36 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=13652Digital strategist Charlie Puyear also named Director of Digital Davenport, IA — For the second straight year, Victory Enterprises (VE) has been awarded the prestigious Pollie Award for the Best Republican Digital Campaign. The award was given for the creation of ShieldsTurk.com and the supporting digital campaign in the contentious 8th District Missouri State Senate special election in 2017. VE […]

Davenport, IA — For the second straight year, Victory Enterprises (VE) has been awarded the prestigious Pollie Award for the Best Republican Digital Campaign. The award was given for the creation of ShieldsTurk.com and the supporting digital campaign in the contentious 8th District Missouri State Senate special election in 2017. VE received the top award for a GOP firm last year for our 34 No More campaign defeating the Democrat Iowa Senate Majority Leader, a 34 year incumbent. Charlie Puyear, who led each of the award-winning campaigns, has also been named the Director of Digital at VE.

“These back-to-back awards are further proof that Charlie Puyear and our digital team at Victory Enterprises are delivering the country’s most innovative and creative campaigns,” said Chief Development Officer Joe Lakin. “As one of the nation’s top digital strategists, he will be a perfect fit to oversee the digital campaigns of our sixty digital clients.”

“Through our incredible creative, web and digital management teams, we are delivering the best digital campaigns for clients at every level,” said Charlie Puyear, Director of Digital. “The Shields Turk and 34 No More campaigns were integrated campaigns with online and offline elements that drove key messages and, most importantly, delivered victories for our clients.”

Founded in 1997, Victory Enterprises provides comprehensive media and management solutions for campaigns, companies and causes.

]]>https://www.victoryenterprises.com/victory-enterprises-wins-back-back-awards-top-digital-campaign/feed/0VE Launches Agriculture Advocacy Divisionhttps://www.victoryenterprises.com/ve-launches-agriculture-advocacy-division/
https://www.victoryenterprises.com/ve-launches-agriculture-advocacy-division/#respondWed, 11 Apr 2018 22:00:56 +0000https://www.victoryenterprises.com/?p=13646Alsager, Woolf to Lead New Division Davenport, IA — Victory Enterprises (VE) has announced the creation of an Agriculture Advocacy division designed to help agriculture clients navigate the public policy arena. The division will be led by Matt Alsager, a fixture of agriculture advocacy in Missouri and, Whitney Woolf, a seasoned political pro from Oklahoma. Founded in 1997, VE is […]

Davenport, IA — Victory Enterprises (VE) has announced the creation of an Agriculture Advocacy division designed to help agriculture clients navigate the public policy arena. The division will be led by Matt Alsager, a fixture of agriculture advocacy in Missouri and, Whitney Woolf, a seasoned political pro from Oklahoma. Founded in 1997, VE is a comprehensive media and management solution for candidates, causes and companies nationwide.

“We have been fighting for agriculture clients across the country for more than a decade and the creation of our Agriculture Advocacy Division will allow us to expand that work and better serve our clients needs,” President and COO Dave Hageman said. “Matt and Whitney are the perfect team to continue helping our farming and ranching clients win their fights in the ag policy arena.”

“Because of our Midwest-based operations and company footprint, VE is uniquely positioned to continue to provide fast, targeted and effective advocacy solutions for our agriculture clients. While farmers and ranchers spend every day striving to be stewards of their land and feeding the world, we work everyday to protect their interests and their future,” Director of Agriculture Advocacy Matt Alsager said.

“Our proven media and management solutions have been integral in major policy wins for VE clients for a decade. While our agriculture clients are working around the clock to feed the world we mirror their efforts in the public policy arena helping them to navigate the many challenges they face,” Director of Agriculture Operations Whitney Woolf said.